Adjustable mount for a spa cover lifting device

ABSTRACT

An adjustable lifting device for a spa cover has a frame for securing to the spa cover and at least one extendible mount for adjustably extending a distance between the frame of the lifting device and a mounting point on the housing of a spa. The extendible mount has an extendible member attached to the frame of the lifting device, and a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed at a mounting location on the housing of a spa. The extendible member is adjustably coupled to the mounting bracket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an adjustable mount for a spa cover lifting device. More particularly, this invention relates to providing a spa cover lifting device that can be fitted to a variety of shapes of spa housings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Covers for spas (spas are also known as “hot tubs”) are used to minimize escape of heat from the spa when the spa is not in use. A typical cover can be formed from thick rigid insulating sheets that are covered with fabric. The spa cover is typically displaceable so that the cover can be removed from the spa when the spa is in use. This is often achieved by dividing the cover into portions, folding one portion of the cover onto at least another cover portion, then lifting the folded cover from the spa, usually by swinging the folded cover about a pivot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to an adjustable mount for a spa cover lifting device, enabling the spa cover lifting device to be used with a variety of shapes of spa housings and, for certain embodiments of the invention, to also accommodate a variety of materials used in the construction of spa housings.

[0004] In one aspect of the invention, an adjustable mount is provided for fitting the frame of a spa cover lifting device to a spa. In another aspect of the invention, an adjustable lifting device for a spa cover is provided. The lifting device has a frame for securing the device to the spa cover, and at least one adjustable mount for fitting the lifting device to a spa.

[0005] The adjustable mount has a bracket adapted to fit the spa, and an extendible member adjustably coupled to the bracket and adapted to attach to the frame of the spa cover lifting device. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the extendible member attaches to the frame of the spa cover lifting device through a displaceable connection, such as, for example, a pivotal joint.

[0006] The bracket can have a hollow channel for slideably receiving at least a portion of the extendible member. A locking means can also be provided to fix the position of the extendible member relative to the bracket.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention the bracket is secured to the spa housing through suitable fasteners, such as, for example, but not limited to, screws.

[0008] A spacer block can be provided adjacent the bracket of the adjustable mount, the spacer block having one face adapted to match the surface of a suitable mounting location on the spa housing, and another face adapted to support the bracket. This can further assist in fitting the adjustable mount to a variety of shapes of spa housings.

[0009] In a further aspect of the invention, the bracket for the adjustable mount can be adapted to rest on a surface that the spa sits or rests on. The bracket can be provided with at least one extended flange upon which the spa can rest. For this embodiment, the bracket is held in place by the weight of the spa on the flange. If desired, the flange of the bracket could be secured through suitable fasteners to the underside of the spa.

[0010] In further alternative embodiments, the bracket could be secured to a suitable support with fasteners, such as, for example, but not limited to, screws. The bracket is positioned with respect to the spa to enable the spa cover lifting device displace the cover so that it can be removed when the spa is in use.

[0011] For these embodiments, however, the bracket does not need to be secured to the spa housing, which is useful where the spa housing is manufactured from, for example, a composite plastic, or other material that might not-have sufficient strength to support the spa cover lifting device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it would be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawings that show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spa cover lifting device installed on a spa and with the cover in a closed position;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing one portion of the spa cover folded onto another portion;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective similar to FIG. 1 but showing a spa cover frame swung about a pivot so that the spa cover is lifted completely from the spa;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of the adjustable mount of this invention attached to a spa housing,

[0017]FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the adjustable mount of this invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the spa cover frame;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing use of the adjustable mount of this invention with a spa having a housing with at least two opposing side different shapes;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the spa shown in FIG. 7;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of the adjustable mount;

[0022]FIG. 9A is a perspective view from one side of the bracket of the adjustable mount shown in FIG. 9;

[0023]FIG. 9B is a perspective view from another side of the bracket of the adjustable mount shown in FIG. 9;

[0024]FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9, but showing one portion of the spa cover folded onto another portion; and

[0025]FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the spa cover frame swung about a pivot so that the spa cover is lifted completely from the spa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The spa cover lifting device of this invention that can be fitted to a variety of shapes of spa housings is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1. The spa cover lifting device is secured to a spa cover 12, as will hereinafter be described. The spa cover lifting device is also generally fitted to a spa 14 in a manner that allows the spa cover 12 to be displaced so that the cover 12 can be removed from the spa 14, as will hereinafter be described.

[0027] The spa 14 generally comprises a housing 16. The spa 14 can feature a housing in a variety of shapes. For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, housing 16 generally octagonal having eight sides 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32. It can be appreciated, however, that this invention contemplates mounting a spa cover lifting device 10 to a variety of shapes of housings, including those housings that might not have rectilinear wall portions. For example, the housing 16 could comprise curved wall panels, or a combination of rectilinear and curved wall panels.

[0028] The spa cover 12 can be formed from a thick rigid insulating sheet covered with a fabric. The spa cover 12 is divided into portions, and, for the embodiment illustrated, is divided into two portions 34, 36. To remove the spa cover 12 from the spa 14, the spa cover portion 34 is typically folded onto the spa cover portion 36, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Then the folded spa cover is moved clear of the spa 14, using the spa cover lifting device 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0029] The spa cover lifting device 10 generally comprises a U-shaped frame 38 that comprises a cross-member 40 and support arms 42 and 44. The cross-member 40 is secured to the spa cover 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In general, the cross-member 40 is secured to the spa cover 12 near the fold line 46 between the portions 34 and 36 of the spa cover 12. The cross-member 40 can be secured to the spa cover 12 by any suitable fastener, such as, for example, but not limited to, bolts and screws and adhesives, or by fabric extending from the spa cover and looped over the cross-member 40.

[0030] For the embodiment illustrated, the U-shaped frame 38 comprises two corner elements 48, 50. As shown in FIG. 6, corner element 48 is formed from support arm 42 and a portion 40 a of the cross member 40, while the second corner element 50 is formed from the support arm 44 and another portion 40 b of the cross member 40.

[0031] The corner elements 48, 50 may be constructed of tubular material having a generally circular cross-section, with the material of one of the cross-member portions 40 a having a slightly smaller diameter than the other cross-member portion 40 b. This permits one of the corner elements to fit within the other in a snug telescoping arrangement as at 52. The telescoping arrangement of the two corner elements 48, 50 allows the cross member 40 to be sized to fit generally across the width of the spa cover 12.

[0032] To mount the U-shaped frame 38 of the spa cover lifting device 10 to the spa 14 an adjustable mount 54 is provided. For the embodiment illustrated, the adjustable mount 54 comprises a bracket 56 adapted to fit to the spa 14, and an extendible member 58 that is adjustably coupled to the bracket 56.

[0033] As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bracket 56 comprises a body portion 60, adapted to slideably receive the extendible member 58, and attachment elements 62 extending from the body 60, for securely fastening the bracket 56 to any suitable mounting location 57 on the housing 16 of the spa 14. In the embodiment illustrated, attachment elements 62 are provided in the form of flanges adapted to receive suitable fasteners, such as, for example, but not limited to, bolts and screws. It can be appreciated that attachment elements 62 can space body portion 60 away from the housing 16 (by members 63 in FIG. 5) of the spa 14, so that the housing will not interfere with the displacement of the spa cover lifting device Two brackets are provided for the embodiment disclosed, one for each support arm 42, 44 of the U-shaped frame 38. Each of the brackets 56 is securely fastened to generally opposed sidewalls of the spa 14.

[0034] The body portion 60 of the bracket 56 generally comprises a hollow channel 64 of a slightly larger cross-section of the extendible member 58 so that the extendible member 58 can be slideably received within the hollow channel 64.

[0035] As mentioned, the extendable member 58 is, for the embodiment illustrated, sized to fit slideably through the hollow channel 64 of the body portion 60 of the mounting bracket 56 For the embodiment shown, the extendible member 58 also has a square cross section, though of a slightly smaller dimension than the cross section of the hollow channel 64 of the body portion 60 of the mounting bracket 56. It can be appreciated that other configurations of the extendible member 58 and the body portion 60 can be used. For example, but not to be considered limiting, the extendible member could be a sleeve that is slideably disposed over the body portion 60, or an externally threaded rod adapted to engage an internally threaded bore in body portion 60.

[0036] Once the extendible member 58 is adjusted in relation to the body portion 60 of the bracket 56, as will hereinafter be described, suitable locking means 66, such as, for example, but not limited to, bolts, screws, pins, and stop collars, can be used to secure the position of the extendible member 58 relative to the body portion 60 of the bracket 56.

[0037] For the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, screws 67 are used to screw extendible member in place by either passing through matching screw holes on extendible member 58 or by bearing on surface 69 of the extendible member to grip the extendible member against further displacement within hollow channel 64.

[0038] The extendible member 58 includes at one end thereof connection means 68 for connecting the frame 38 to the extendible mount 54. The connection means 68 can be, for example, but not limited to, a hole, a pin, or merely a portion of the surface of the extendible member 58. For the embodiment illustrated, the connection means 68 comprises a pivotal connection 71 provided between the support arms 42, 44 of the frame 38 and each connection means 68 of the corresponding extendible member 58. The pivotal connection 71 allows the spa cover 12 to be removed from the spa 14 by swinging the frame 38, with the attached spa cover 12, upward and away from the spa 14, about the pivotal connection 71. As seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, a surface 73 of support arms 42,44 abuts the end of extendible member 58 within connection means 68 to stop further displacement of the spa cover lifting device, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0039] In use, brackets 56 can be secured to opposed regions of the spa 14. In general, this would be on opposed sidewall portions of the housing 16 of the spa 14, such as sides 18, 26 of the spa 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. Securing the brackets 56 on opposed, parallel sidewalls provides for generally parallel adjustable mounts 54 However, it can be appreciated that the brackets 56 do not need to be directly opposite from one another. For example, if side 28 a of the spa 14 was longer than side 32 a. Accordingly, the bracket on side 32 a would be further away from side 30 a than the bracket on side 28 a. Such an arrangement is contemplated by this invention. Appropriate adjustment of the corresponding extending members 58 can be made so that the respective pivot connections of the spa cover lifting device are opposed to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 7, for example.

[0040] For certain shapes of housing 16 a of spa 14 a it might be necessary to provide a spacing block 57. For example, if side 32 a were not parallel to side 28 a for the spa illustrated in FIG. 7, then spacer block 57 can be secured to one side so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the spa 14 in a manner that ensures that the extendible members 58 are parallel. Other types of spacer blocks could be used if the sidewalls of the spa housing were, for example, curvilinear, or combinations of curved and rectilinear shapes.

[0041] Once the adjustable brackets 56 are in place, the extendible members 58 can be fitted into the hollow channel 64 presented by the body portions 60 of the brackets. The extendible members 58 are adjusted so that their respective pivotal connections 68 with support arms 42, 44 are directly opposite to one another. Moreover, the extendible members 58 are adjusted so that the pivotal connections 68 are located sufficiently away from the sides of the housing 16 of the spa 14, so that the spa cover 12 is free to swing about the pivotal connection 68 away from the spa 14. Typically the spa cover 12 is folded so that portion 34 overlies portion 36. A user can then grasp one of both of the support arms 42, 44 and swing the folded cover 12 about the pivotal connections 68 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0042]FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the adjustable mount for this invention. All the components of the adjustable mount are identical as in the embodiment previously described, with the exception of the bracket as described below.

[0043] In particular, spa housings are increasingly being made of materials other than wood, such as, for example, composite plastic. Such material will not support, for example, screws that can be used to secure a bracket to the spa housing.

[0044] Accordingly, an alternative bracket has been designed which is identical to the bracket disclosed in the first embodiment with the exception that, at least one of the attachment elements 62 a, is an extended flange 78, as best illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9 b. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the spa 12 can rest upon the extended flange 78. It can be appreciated, that for this embodiment, the bracket can rest on a surface that the spa sits or rests on so the bracket can be held in place by the weight of the spa on the extended flange 78. If desired, the extended flange 78 could be secured with suitable fasteners such as, for example, but not limited to, screws, bolts, etc., to the underside of the spa.

[0045] In further alternative embodiments, the bracket could be secured to other suitable supports through fasteners, so long as the adjustable mounts position the spa cover lifting device in a manner that the spa cover can be displaced so as to be removed from the spa when the spa is in use.

[0046] It can be appreciated that variations to this invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and this invention is intended to includes those alternatives. 

1. An adjustable mount for a spa cover lifting device, the mount comprising: a) a bracket adapted to fit a spa; and b) an extendible member displacedly coupled to the bracket for adjustably extending a distance between the frame of the lifting device and a mounting point on the housing of a spa. 